Global plastics firm headed to Donora Industrial Park

June 7, 2016

Rick Shrum
Observer Reporter

A global plastics producer is coming to America – Donora specifically.

Retal Industries Ltd., a Cyprus-based firm, is locating in Donora Business Park. That not only will be the company’s U.S. headquarters, but its lone operation in the States.

Moving in should be a reasonably comfortable experience, as Retal will assume the 143,000-square-foot space previously occupied by Spartech Polycom, likewise a plastics manufacturer.

“It’s set up as a plastics company,” said Lue Ann Pawlick, executive director of Mon Valley Alliance, a recently merged economic development group.

Renovations will be necessary, but not pervasive, for the plant, which also will have rail service for easy transportation of products.

Retal makes plastics for bottles used in the nonalcoholic beverage industry.

It will begin production in October or November – out of necessity.

“They have a big contract for production and need to move as quickly as possible,” Pawlick said.

She added the company will employ 43 at the start and provide “a minimum of 88 jobs within three years.”

The building was purchased in April. MVA got $2.4 million in loans toward purchase and renovation of the plant. The total cost was $4 million.

Retal is the third firm this year to commit to Donora Business Park. Barchemy, a new company, will make chocolate coating and nutrition bars.

It is a joint venture with Nutrifections, of North Belle Vernon, owned by spouses Michelle and Joe Schwerha.

Tech Met Inc., a Glassport firm that provides chemical milling services on fabricated components, will expand its operations to Donora.